Trial of Seattle man set to start in girl's 1957 killing
SYCAMORE, Ill. (AP) - The trial of a man accused in the 1957 kidnapping and slaying of a 7-year-old Illinois girl is expected to begin Monday.
Jack McCullough was arrested last year in Seattle and is in custody in Illinois.
He's accused of felony murder, kidnapping and abduction charges in the death of 7-year-old Maria Ridulph (RIHD'-uhlf) of Sycamore. He's pleaded not guilty.
Ridulph's disappearance and death generated national headlines at the time
Her brother, Charles Ridulph, tells The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle that it's been very difficult for the family. He was 11 when his sister disappeared.
DeKalb County State's Attorney Clay Campbell says older cases can present dilemmas for attorneys; memories have faded and potential witnesses passed away. Prosecutors' case is mostly circumstantial.
McCullough's attorney, Tom McCulloch, says the case is challenging.
Jack McCullough was arrested last year in Seattle and is in custody in Illinois.
He's accused of felony murder, kidnapping and abduction charges in the death of 7-year-old Maria Ridulph (RIHD'-uhlf) of Sycamore. He's pleaded not guilty.
Ridulph's disappearance and death generated national headlines at the time
Her brother, Charles Ridulph, tells The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle that it's been very difficult for the family. He was 11 when his sister disappeared.
DeKalb County State's Attorney Clay Campbell says older cases can present dilemmas for attorneys; memories have faded and potential witnesses passed away. Prosecutors' case is mostly circumstantial.
McCullough's attorney, Tom McCulloch, says the case is challenging.
This is another case in recent days coming out of Illinois that the public should keep an eye on.  The hearsay âDrewâs Lawâ rules changes now allow the unverified third party testimony. This in itself is a slippery slope I donât want to see this country travel. When ex-cop Drew Peterson was on trial Iâd be the first to say fry that cocky putz, because we thought he acted silly on tv.  WHatever is sserved up in a trial must be a fair justice Bar-B-Q, where the game ball has not been moved to benefit the other side. Fast forward to todayâs trial and I challenge you to defend yourself with a verifiable alibi of your activities on the afternoon of July 15, 1957. While we may demand justice, that justice cannot come at the possibility of an injustice.
In spite of what one poster here posts (and seemingly talks to him/herself), the way I read the article,: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/168569196.html
is that the judge DISALLOWED hearsay. McCullough is not allowed to bolster his alibi with what amounted to hearsay.
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If no more evidence exists than what has been reported here, I don't see how a judge can convict McCullough.(Although I agree with oldster70, if mcCullough did it, yes, I hope he pays, but if he didn't, lets not make an innocent person suffer.)
First off they have no real evidence in this case. He well may have committed this horrible crime, but then he may not have. It is much more interesting for the news to convict than to defend. If he did it, he needs to pay, although at his age there is no way he could pay enough. If he did not, then they are just getting publicity for political gain at an innocent persons expense. Right now it is 50-50.  Â
Now I'm the last one wanting to see a murderer escape culpability and accountability, but the simple fact is that this "case" is already over, conviction already established. If secondhand hearsay is evidence in Illinois, as the Circuit Court says, then the case is already defacto. Get a rope. A dead guy heard someone in business competition say he's the one. Or ANYTHING ELSE. And that case WILL be cited in Washington courts as well now, even if our State sovereignty prevents it's use here. Police State established, folks. Nationally.
And just so's you all know, the finding, coming from a federal Circuit Court also means secondhand hearsay based federal investigations are legitimate in Washington, in direct contravention of our State sovereignty.
I'm pretty sure it also means that it is evidence in federal trials here, or any based on activities or people that were here.
I guess I'll see you all on the front lines or swingin there when they take me to the noose, that's somethin anyway. Think there will be any billionaires or trillionaires there? Federal officials? Any more than a few cops or living servicemen? But people ain't makin accusations against anyone in Illinois or somethin? Then whatthehhello did they pass the bs as evidence? Establish Just Cause to this apparent moron, please, Your Eminence?
But who am I kidding? Trying to save the lives of people willing to die only for their RIGHT to sleep till it's their turn to try to break a rope.
Accountability, no matter how long. Keep at it. If this is they guy, nail him.Â